Writer Tara Lal Shrestha’s new literary work Cycle Aesthetics (Cycle Saundarya) has been released during a literary ceremony held at the auditorium of Nepal Tourism Board, Exhibition Road, Kathmandu on Saturday. The book explores stories from the cycling community, the cycle as a symbol of collective culture, and environmental justice. The event drew the presence of numerous cycling activists, enthusiasts, and literary lovers. Former Managing Director of Nepal Electricity Authority, Kulman Ghising, attended the event as the chief guest.
Speaking at the event, former MD of Nepal Electricity Authority Kulman Ghising emphasized the role of the cycle in controlling environmental pollution and keeping an individual healthy. He also appreciated author Shrestha’s work for penning such a significant book on the cycle and for promoting cycle culture. Ghising highlighted that cycle culture can play an important role in establishing Nepal as a destination for ‘Green Tourism’, and contribute to the national economy by significantly decreasing the import of petroleum products.
The event also featured personal reflections from cyclists, who shared their experiences and spoke about the transformative power of the cycle. Cycle enthusiast Sarita Dangol shared that the cycle played an important role in her daily life — from reaching her desired places freely to helping her parents with household work. She mentioned that cycling had enabled her to go places without restriction, participate in various activities and events, and had significantly contributed to building her artistic career. Similarly, engineer and cyclist Sumit Bala noted similarities between his own experience of riding a cycle and those shared in the book.
Another cyclist, Maya Laxmi Maharjan, talked about the many health benefits of cycling, including its role in treating various ailments. Cyclist Kabita Chitrakar, who had cancer in its third stage, shared that she experienced healing from the disease after taking up cycling.
Cycle Aesthetics (Cycle Saundarya) is author Shrestha’s fifth literary work of non-fiction. His previously published works include Baljirahane Atit, Aljhirahane Bartaman, Shakti Shrasta Subaltarn, Sapanako Samadhi, and Bandipurdekhi Bandipursamma. Author Shrestha is also a faculty member at the Central Department of English, Tribhuvan University.
Published by Discourse Publication, the book includes essays under various titles that revolve around the theme of the cycle and its aesthetics.
